Plant breeding in the public interest

[Pierre A Plauzoles]

Paul Cherubini wrote:

> I wrote:
>
> > > Can you [Pat Foley] give us some specific scenarios or models of potential
> > >"disastrous" consequences [of plant breeding controlled by a few big
> > > seed companies]? Perhaps examples from other industries long
> > > controlled by a few hands?
> > > These "dangers" and "disastrous consequences" are not obvious to me.
> > > That's why I requested specific scenarios and models or examples from
> > > other industries.
>
> Pierre A Plauzoles wrote:
>
> > Easiest answer I have had the pleasure of posting in some fourteen years:
> > the lack of decent public transit (see any of the newsgroups that deal with rail
> > transportation).  With the general public forced to come to the oil companies'
> > trough or be unable to maintain their mobility, the public chooses the
> > former, resulting in air pollution,asthma and other
> > respiratory diseases due to the pollution, and so on (I could also include
> > the fact the petrochemical industry thinks it can get away with murder
> > by pollution.
>
> Pierre, I don't get your point.

I can see you never have had a problem with pollution.  I had asthma, bronchitis and
sinusitis as a kid (age 6 to 9).  it then disappeared like a ghost within days agter we
moved to a less-polluted area.  To this day, I have similarly serious problems every
time I pass certain facilities, such as a petrochemical or gasoline refinery where
fumes get off the property.  Certain other chemicals will do me the same number.  Am I
alone in having this problem?  No.  Just consult with any respiratory system specialist
or someone and you will get all the information you need -- if both he/she and you have
an open mind on the subject.

> Have the oil companies coerced the public into
> prefering commuting solo in 8 cylinder, 5000 lb sport-utes even in cities with
> excellent rail transportation and financial incentives to car pool?  Did the
> oil companies play a role in the Nature Conservancy's decision to purchase
> a fleet of 8 cylinder, 5500 lb Chevy Surburbans instead of 4 cylinder, 3200 lb
> Volkswagen Vans?

Have you ever compar4ed the carrying capacities of the various SUVs?  I guess you have
studiously avoided the subject.

> Have the oil companies ever had anything to do with Mr. fossil
> fuel Paul Ehrlich's decision to often use his private plane to fly around the world
> instead of commercial jetliners?

Have you ever seen their ads on television or in the print media?  Ditto.

> > Love Canal finally did catch up with Hooker Chemical, did it not?
>
> Yes, but were there irreversible disastrous environmental consequences
> at Love Canal? According to the EPA Fact Sheet on Love Canal at
> http://www.epa.gov/region02/superfnd/site_sum/0201290c.htm the Hooker
> Chemical dumping that caused the pollution problem was carried out way back
> between 1942-1952. Industry has not behaved this irresponsibly in modern times.
> The EPA fact sheet on Love Canal also says the site has been cleaned
> up and currently " does not present a threat to human health and the
> environment."
>
> Paul Cherubini